Sometimes When I’m Mad

When you feel mad, your emotions can cloud your judgement, overshadow your positive thoughts, and cause you to act like a completely different person. Sometimes When I’m Mad explains the many different forms that anger can take. The main character, a nameless young girl, experiences several feelings when attempting to manage her overwhelming frustration. Her anger causes her to become listless, cry intensely, feel physically ill, lash out at loved ones, and withdraw from her peers. Several coping skills are described throughout the book to provide constructive options when children are feeling out of control.

The illustrations by Kyra Teis show the wide range of emotions that are felt by children experiencing uncontrollable anger. Author Deborah Serani includes resources at the end of the book for parents and caregivers to help children manage their anger. She also includes warning signs for various ages, ways to encourage healthy expression, and special needs intervention strategies. Through reading this book, adults can learn how to provide various forms of emotional support to children dealing with anger. In addition, children will become more comfortable with regulating their emotions and dealing with anger in a healthy way.